Using an App to Reduce Cancer-Related Anxiety

?Joseph Greer, Ph.D., Clinical Director of Psychology and Research Scientist in the Center for Psychiatric Oncology & Behavioral Sciences at Massachusetts General Hospital, explains a mobile app to help anxiety in patients who have incurable cancer.

BY Joseph Greer, Ph.D.

PUBLISHED June 21, 2017

Joseph Greer, Ph.D., Clinical Director of Psychology and Research Scientist in the Center for Psychiatric Oncology & Behavioral Sciences at Massachusetts General Hospital, explains a mobile app to help anxiety in patients who have incurable cancer.

Patients diagnosed with an incurable cancer often see a decline in their quality of life (QOL) after the diagnosis. Greer and a team at Massachusetts General Hospital developed an app based on cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention that had modules focusing on: relaxing the body, reducing worry, staying present-focused, improving communication and planning/pacing activities. After testing the app with 145 patients, researchers found that it led to significant improvements in anxiety.